K IMBERLY K IRKPATRICK C OMMERCE I NDEPENDENT S CHOOL D ISTRICT C OMMERCE M IDDLE S CHOOL A RT /8 TH GRADE S URVEYED 20 STUDENTS

P OSITIVE STATEMENTS : If I ever need any help a teacher is always there to help me. I have lots of fun in this class. The class is small and I like how laid back it is. Our class is just amazing! We have a lot of Fun! It’s very fun and we do a lot of fun projects. You will never be board. The teachers are always willing to help. I like how our classes only have 9 people in here I have so much fun never a dull moment. Love all the projects! I like how small our class is. The project we have are so much fun. It is very fun and we always fell good about our art because the teachers give us compliments. Cool projects! I like how our class is small The teacher is always smiling and makes our work fun and easy. Our class is amazing!!

L EARNING P ROBLEMS : Having trouble with self portraits Working on computers stresses me out. I don’t understand computers that well especially CS2 A few students talk all the time. I need help on Photoshop projects more. Talk less!! Let’s work less on computers it’s not fun it’s hard I don’t understand to tools. I don’t understand CS2. My portrait drawing was hard and still haven't turned in. People talk to much. Need more time to learn the program CS2. I need a teacher to explain how to use the program CS2 better. Computer programs are hard to work with. My self portrait was a problem. Having trouble wit our Photoshop projects they are hard. I just don’t get computers.

C OMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE THIS CLASS : (4) Students would like to be introduced to a variety of art media such as printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and crafty projects (5) Students would like to see longer due dates for projects. (4) Students would like to work more with group projects. (5) Students would like to see more free time. (1) Student would like to see more people in Art. (1) Student would like to have more parody projects.

Problem Statement: Students are having problems understanding how to use the technology program Adobe Photoshop CS2. Competency 2 The teacher understands student diversity and knows how to plan learning experiences and design assessments that are responsive to differences among students and that promote all students’ learning. C. Learning Styles Audio, Visual, Kinesthetic Depending on perceptual strengths learners have varying learning style needs.

o After finding out the learning problems in my class, I made sure to change my teaching strategy approach. o For the following problem I showed students a variety of differentiated instruction such as demonstrated examples, showed tutorials on the Promethean Board, let students work in groups or individually, and gave students one-on-one help. This way students were able to understand what exactly they are having trouble with. What I changed:

BeforeAfter Students were asked to rank themselves on their technology skill level hard, medium, or easy.

o I learned that each student has several learning needs that should be addressed in each lesson I organize. Using the strategy differentiated instruction provided each student with a variety of different ways to understand the content. This way the material that I taught to the students their learning environment was more effective regarding to each students learning ability. What I learned:

A REAS THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT : o The area that needs improvement are the students technology skills. o Understanding the concept of each Photoshop Project.

W HAT SHOULD BE CONTINUED : o Using the strategy of organizing lessons according to each students ability so they are understanding the content. o Giving students goals to accomplish with each assignment. o Monitor the progress of each students learning ability. o Make sure each students learning style needs are meet.

W HAT STUDENT ’ S NEEDS WERE INDICATED FROM THE SURVEY RESPONSES ? o Each students needs were filled throughout this process. The survey showed students not understanding the use of Photoshop CS2, needed more one-on-one help, and how some students lacked skills. I made sure each students needs were meet before moving on. I made sure I measured the progress and set a goal for each student to accomplish each day.

L ITERATURE R EVIEWS This article explains and demonstrates how students capacity to computer model, analyze, and support online students interaction, in particular the students knowledge sharing. The author gives in site on how teachers can identify students that are having trouble learning the new concepts with technology and activities. The following article was very helpful by giving information on certain basics in choosing the appropriate children’s educational software for students to practice their skills. The author gives great advice about how teachers could give students feedback, both positive and corrective which is the key to the learning process Understanding knowledge-sharing breakdowns: a meeting of he quantitative and qualitative minds. How to Fit in Skill Practice. Media & Methods

P LAN FOR SOLUTION : o Students are having problems understanding he concepts of the computer program Photoshop CS2. My solution as a teacher would be to take more t ime to organize lessons that will fit each students needs. o I will make time f or tutorials in class and use a different teaching strategy approach such as differentiated instruction this way the students will understand the content. Every student should be comfortable while learning the material. I also would like to make sure each student is familiar with the material and begin to successfully complete an assignment on their own. After, they should develop a high amount of skills and knowledge.

P ROCEDURES FOR I MPLEMENTATION o For the following problem I plan on give students a variety of differentiated instruction such as demonstrate examples, show tutorials on the Promethean Board, students may work in groups or individually, and I will give students one-on-one help that’s needed. This way students should Be able to understand what exactly they are having trouble with. o I intend to start a Photoshop project with the students right away. I think it’s very important for students to understand the use of the program it’s a great way for the students to develop a range of skills they will eventually use in high school or college. o I will measure each student by making sure I set a goal for each project. By Applying this I can keep closer contact with each student and plan more effectively o.I will measure each students by the progress each student shows. If certain students were having trouble I should see each student over come the struggle and see them become more persistent with the skills they have learned.

B IBLIOGRAPHY : Soller, A(20040.Understanding knowledge-sharing breakdowns: a meeting Of the quantitative and qualitative minds. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20 (3) Peacock, D Junger-Godfrey. B.K. (2005). How to Fit in skill practice. Media & Methods, 41(5)